Russia used its hypersonic Oreshnik missile in the largest missile attack on Kyiv this year, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Monday. The strike marked the first confirmed combat use of the nuclear-capable hypersonic ballistic system against the Ukrainian capital in 2026.
Ukrainian air defenses reported multiple incoming weapons, including cruise and ballistic types, over a short overnight window. Emergency services documented widespread damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure.
Zelensky said the attack demonstrated Moscow’s willingness to escalate despite parallel diplomacy in the Middle East. Western military analysts said Oreshnik’s speed and maneuverability complicate interception compared with older ballistic missiles.
The assault occurred as exiled Belarusian opposition figures visited Kyiv, underscoring cross-border dimensions of the war. Ukraine’s government renewed calls for additional air defense systems and long-range strike capabilities from partners.
Rescue teams pulled survivors from collapsed floors in at least two high-rise districts. Ukraine’s energy ministry reported temporary outages after substations were hit. Western leaders condemned the use of advanced missiles against urban centers during Memorial Day weekend in the United States.
NATO ambassadors in Brussels received briefings on debris analysis from the strike. Civil defense volunteers distributed water and blankets to residents unable to return to damaged apartments Monday morning.
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